Common Plumbing Myths That Might Cost You Money

Feb 17, 2017

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Some plumbing myths are relatively harmless, aside from the fact that they
spread incorrect information among homeowners. However, there are other
plumbing legends making the rounds that could cost you plenty of money and cause
a great deal of damage to your house.

Today, we hope to put a few of those myths to rest and tell you what you
should do instead.

Plungers Are All-Powerful Plumbing Tools

Plungers are ideal for removing small and loose debris from pipes, but
they aren't designed for stubborn clogs, mineral buildup, or major
blockages like tree roots. If you're dealing with something other
than a bit of food or a clump of bathroom tissue, you may need a more
heavy-duty plumbing tool. The plunger is a good place to start, but if
that doesn’t work, you may want to try a:

Water ram that will blow out the blockage: these are great for sediment buildup

Drain auger that will break up a blockage: these are perfect for stubborn
and dense clogs

Professional plumber: this is ideal when the blockage is too large, too
far in the pipes, or if you don’t know what the problem is

Nothing Can Swim Up Your Pipes

Unfortunately, opportunistic creatures like rats are capable of making
their way from the sewer, through your pipes, and into your home.

The rats smell food in the drains, follow the smell, get lost in the plumbing,
and find their way to the toilet. To avoid this, never flush food down
your toilet, and don’t put food down the drains (unless you're
using a garbage disposal).

A Leaking Faucet Isn't Worth Your Time

If you value your water and your money, then a leaky faucet is absolutely
something you should be worried about. A minor drip could waste around
500 gallons of water per year, while a medium (a one-drip-per-minute leak)
could waste 3,000, and an average leak means upwards of 10,000 gallons
of water wasted every year.

Fixing a leak like this could save you 10 percent on your water bill, and
usually, all you have to do is check the connections, gaskets, and washers.

Only Stopped Up Drains Are Clogged

You could have a drain or toilet that seems to be running or flushing normally,
and there's still a clog in the line. So what else should you look
for? Slow-running drains, for one. This could be a partial clog, sediment
buildup on the wall of the pipes, or another issue with your plumbing.

Also, if you flush a toilet and find water coming up from a sink or bathtub,
this is a clear indication of a clog. Lastly, if you run water from a
tap and hear the toilet gurgling, there's likely a blockage in your
sewer lines.

The Water Heater Is Indestructible

Water heaters contain water that’s heated to a very high temperature,
and this creates a great deal of pressure. All modern water heaters are
outfitted with a TPR (temperature and pressure relief) valve, but if this
malfunctions, the water heater can explode.

You can prevent such an occurrence by ensuring your water heater was installed
properly, by having it maintained regularly by a professional, by testing
the TPR valve regularly, and following the manufacturer’s instructions
regarding safe temperatures.